DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Volunteers in Anamosa are preparing sandbags as the Wapsipinicon (wahp-sih-PIH’-nih-kihn) River is expected to reach a near-record high late Friday. River forecasters say to expect a 26-foot crest near the 2008 record of 26.2 feet. Flood stage is 14 feet.

The flood didn’t develop in Independence as expected overnight so their sandbags are being sent to Anamosa.

National Weather Service river forecasters are baffled the river at Independence only reached 13.4 feet before falling when they expected 21 feet. Their Thursday morning flood statement says: “There remains a great deal of uncertainty about why the river has not responded as previously expected.”

At the predicted level some homes could get water in Anamosa and the cities of Olin, Oxford Junction, and Stone City could experience some flooding.